DeFazio Confirmed As Transportation Chair

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Rep. Pete DeFazio, D-Ore., is the new chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and he’s made it clear his emphasis will be on the latter rather than the former. DeFazio says he intends to have a comprehensive infrastructure bill before Congress in six months and that likely means aviation issues will be out of the spotlight at least for the meantime. With the passage of a five-year FAA reauthorization before the end of the last session, many of the pressing issues facing aviation were addressed, including the end (for now, at least) of a push to privatize air traffic control. For good measure, DeFazio was an outspoken opponent of that idea, which was promoted by former Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Penn.

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., will lead Republicans on the committee as the ranking member. Graves has been a long-time general aviation advocate and his elevation to the leadership role was welcomed by GA groups. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., the former ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee, has been named the new chairman. The committee looks after all aspects of civil aviation including oversight of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Comments (7)

Peter Defazio is a member of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America), the Congressional Pink Caucus and other extreme leftist organizations. He is as extreme as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but much smarter and a much better liar. Heis no friend to aviation and his no love for America.

The only job he has ever held outside of being a "professional politician" was as the Lane County commissioner 1983-86. Since then, a career politician.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in 1969 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1977.

Between his education, his 3 year county commissioner's job, combined with his stint in the Air Force Reserves, he is highly qualified to be the Transportation Chair. I can rest easy tonight knowing that he understands the pointy end of an airplane goes through the air first.

Transportation includes building roads...a county commissioner probably has some idea of that. Being in the air force for four years probably taught him at least the basics of aviation. And being on the Transportation Committee for 32 years probably taught him a thing or two as well.

As for being a professional politician: Plenty of people in both parties fit this bill. Scott Walker the recently former governor of Wisconsin fits that bill as does Paul Ryan, the recently former Speaker of the House (aside from approx. one year working for his family's business while he was setting up his run for Congress).

"professional politicians" transcends party affiliation. It just so happens Defazio is a Democrat.

Bill Schuster was a Republican yet he tried to bring back privatization of the ATC system under the radar screen.

In either case, the desire, ability, and the common sense that builds wisdom and integrity which comes from actually working for a living is missing from the "career politician".

Yes, you would think that after 32 years he has learned something about transportation and infrastructure. My question is, what has he learned and how does that relate to making good decisions as a representative of the people?

So far, his 32 years of experience on the same committee as demonstrated by 32 years of
participation in Transportation and Infrastructure decisions has not produced anything other than the status quo. And the status quo has been sub-standard at best. For his cooperation, he now heads the committee. Is that because of productivity or loyalty to the status quo.